MARKET HAS BEEN SUCCESS, MAYOR ASSERTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 21 December 1928, Page 9

MARKET HAS BEEN SUCCESS, MAYOR ASSERTS.

DENIES STATEMENTS THAT IT IS LIKELY TO BE CLOSED SOON.

A vigorous reply to statements that the Municipal Market in Worcester Street has not been a success and that there is a possibility of it being closed in the near future, was made to-day by the Mayor, the Rev J. K. Archer. - “It's sheer imagination, and very puerile at that,” he declared when the statements were brought under his notice. “So far from the Municipal Market being a failure it has been an astonishing success. Certainly it has not accomplished the whole of the purpose for which it was intended, as it cannot do So in its present position, but as an experiment it has proved beyond all dispute that there is not only an opportunity but an urgent need for such a market of ample proportions and with complete equipment. “The idea that the growers are opposed to such a proposition is sheer nonsense, because we have every reason to believe that if adequate provision can be made they are prepared to support it to a very large extent. The same may be said in regard to the fish supply of the city, concerning which I have recently had quite a number of fresh complaints from people in the fish industry and also in the retail trade, to the effect that the industry now is manipulated in such a manner as to be against the best interests of the men who catch the fish and the people who ultimately buy and eat it. There is no greater social need in Christchurch at the present moment than a Municipal Market.’’